Actual problems of innovative economy and law

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Assessment of the impact of human resources on the management efficiency of agri-food enterprises

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УДК 331.108:631.1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-1-38

Zos-kior Мykola,
Dr. Sc. (Econ), Professor, Professor of I. Markina Department of Management,
Poltava State Agrarian University,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8330-2909
Saienko Vitalii,
PhD student,
Poltava State Agrarian University,
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0822-0485

Published: 19.01.26

The article investigates the impact of human capital on the performance of agri-food enterprises in Ukraine amid war-related challenges, demographic shifts, labor market transformation, and increasing business-environment uncertainty. The purpose of the study is to assess the relationship between the quantitative and value-based characteristics of human capital and the performance indicators of agri-food enterprises, and to identify the main trends in the transformation of labor resource efficiency. The findings demonstrate a persistent decline in the number of employees in the agri-food sector accompanied by a significant increase in labor costs and average wages. At the same time, labor productivity and the return on labor expenditures have improved despite the reduction in workforce size. The study reveals that labor cost intensity has generally decreased, whereas labor cost recovery has increased, indicating more efficient utilization of available human resources. However, profitability indicators remain highly volatile due to external economic and military factors, which significantly affect enterprises’ financial stability. Based on the results obtained, the study identifies the so-called “agri-food sector paradox”, which reflects the simultaneous reduction in human capital, rising labor costs, and increasing labor efficiency amid unstable financial performance. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive assessment of the influence of human capital on enterprise performance by integrating quantitative labor indicators, labor cost parameters, and efficiency measures into a unified analytical framework. Furthermore, practical directions for improving human resource management are outlined, including implementing adaptive HR strategies, automating production processes, digitalizing HR management, optimizing employee motivation systems, planning the workforce, and developing competencies.

Keywords: human capital; agri-food enterprises; enterprise performance; labor productivity; human resource management; labor efficiency; digitalization; adaptive HR strategies.

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Quote article, APA style

Zos-kior М. , Saienko V. Assessment of the impact of human resources on the management efficiency of agri-food enterprises. Actual problems of innovative economy and law. 2026. №1. 171-176 pp. https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-1-38

Quote article, MLA style

Zos-kior М. , Saienko V. Assessment of the impact of human resources on the management efficiency of agri-food enterprises. Actual problems of innovative economy and law. https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-1-38